OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma residents whose properties were damaged in the recent storms and flooding are warned to be alert for, and urged to report, any potential fraud during recovery and rebuilding efforts, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The aftermath of a disaster can attract opportunists and confidence artists. Homeowners, renters and businesses can follow some simple steps to avoid being swindled.

Be suspicious if a contractor:

  • Demands cash or full payment up front for repair work;
  • Has no physical address or identification;
  • Urges you to borrow to pay for repairs, then steers you to a specific lender or tries to act as an intermediary between you and a lender;
  • Asks you to sign something you have not had time to review; or
  • Wants your personal financial information to start the repair or lending process.

To avoid fraud:

  • Question strangers offering to do repair work and demand to see identification;
  • Do your own research before borrowing money for repairs. Compare quotes, repayment schedules and rates. If they differ significantly, ask why;
  • Never give any personal financial information to an unfamiliar person; and
  • Never sign any document without first reading it fully. Ask for an explanation of any terms or conditions you do not understand.

Disasters also attract people who claim to represent charities but do not. The Federal Trade Commission warns people to be careful and follow some simple rules:

  • Donate to charities you know and trust. Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight.
  • If you’re solicited for a donation, ask if the caller is a paid fundraiser, whom they work for, and the percentage of your donation that will go to the charity and to the fundraiser. If you don’t get a clear answer — or if you don’t like the answer you get — consider donating to a different organization.
  • Do not give out personal or financial information – including your credit card or bank account number – unless you know the charity is reputable.
  • Never send cash: you can’t be sure the organization will receive your donation.
  • Check out a charity before you donate. Contact the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance at www.give.org.

If you believe you are the victim of a contracting scam, price-gouging or bogus charity solicitations, contact local law enforcement and report it to the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General. Find a complaint form online at www.ok.gov/oag. The Federal Trade Commission takes complaints at www.ftc.gov/complaint.

Many legitimate persons — insurance agents, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance personnel, local inspectors and actual contractors — may have to visit your storm-damaged property. Survivors could, however, encounter people posing as inspectors, government officials or contractors in a bid to obtain personal information or collect payment for repair work. Your best strategy to protect yourself against fraud is to ask to see identification in all cases and to safeguard your personal financial information. Please keep in mind that local, state and federal employees do not solicit or accept money for their services to the citizens.

All FEMA employees and contractors will have a laminated photo ID. A FEMA shirt or jacket alone is not proof of identity. FEMA generally will request an applicant’s Social Security or bank account numbers only during the initial registration process. However, FEMA inspectors might require verification of identity. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help filling out applications. FEMA inspectors verify damages but do not recommend or hire specific contractors to fix homes.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster

Visit link: 

Residents of Newly Designated Oklahoma Counties Should Beware of Fraud

OKLAHOMA CITY – Determining eligibility for grants from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may be as easy as registering for assistance, but sometimes more information is needed before the process can be completed.

Disaster survivors may receive a letter stating they’re ineligible. But that may not mean they won’t receive assistance. Read the letter carefully. It could mean more information is required to make a determination.

There are several common reasons for receiving a letter of ineligibility. The most common reason is not enough information has been provided.

Other reasons may be:

  • Missing documentation is needed to complete the evaluation process.
  • There is insufficient storm-related damage, or
  • Insurance coverage adequately covered storm-related losses.

While it is not mandatory to qualify for assistance, one way to expedite the process of determining eligibility is to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). Survivors can take any missing documents into the nearest DRC and have questions answered face-to-face with FEMA specialists.

There have been 3,184 visitors to DRCs in Oklahoma since the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding of May 5 through June 4. To find the recovery center nearest you visit http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm, or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. DRCs are one-stop shops where survivors can get information and guidance on the disaster assistance that may be available. Other options include visiting online www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

Source: 

Determining Eligibility for Disaster Assistance May Require More Information

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Disaster recovery centers will open in Howard and Jefferson counties at noon on Wednesday, July 8 to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by the severe storms of late spring.

Representatives from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the centers to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid.

The disaster recovery centers are located at the following addresses:

Howard County
Carter Day Training Center
200 Lake Nichols Drive
Nashville, AR 71852

Jefferson County
Pine Bluff Convention Center
(Entrance D)
500 East 8th Ave
Pine Bluff, AR 71601

After opening at noon on Wednesday,  July 8, hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. until further notice.

Those seeking disaster assistance should register with FEMA before going to a disaster recovery center. Individuals and families who suffered losses as a result of the late spring storms may register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or those without access to the internet, can call FEMA’s toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Each disaster recovery center has assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Other reasonable accomodations may be available upon request at the site.

Anyone who sustained damage in Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian, or Sevier counties designated for federal disaster assistance can visit any disaster recovery center.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.

For more information on SBA programs, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

 

Original article – 

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Howard, Jefferson Counties

OKLAHOMA CITY – As clean-up continues for homes, farms and businesses damaged by the May 5 through June 4 severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes, Oklahomans should take special care when collecting and disposing of household hazardous wastes.  

Homeowners and renters affected by the disaster should, whenever feasible, separate hazardous household waste from other debris before disposal. Among the items that fall into the household hazardous waste category are paints and solvents, cleaning materials, batteries, oils and petroleum products, pesticides, explosives, swimming pool chemicals and pressurized gas cylinders. 

After separating out household hazardous waste, take the waste (or arrange for it to be taken) to a facility that accepts toxic materials. To find a facility that accepts household hazardous waste in your area, contact a local Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) office. A list of DEQ offices is available at www.deq.state.ok.us/eclsnew/localOffices.htm.

Improper disposal of household hazardous waste includes pouring it down the drain, on the ground, into storm drains/sewers, or in some cases putting it out with the trash. The dangers of such disposal methods might not be immediately obvious. Certain types of household hazardous waste have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems, and pose health hazards to both humans and animals. 

Oil-contaminated debris or material tainted by other petroleum products should be segregated and stored in a well-ventilated area. If stored outdoors, household hazardous materials should be covered to keep precipitation from contaminating nearby soil and water.

For discarding all types of waste, the preferred option is disposal at a DEQ-permitted landfill. Contact a local DEQ office for the location of the nearest emergency disposal sites for storm debris. A list of local DEQ offices and landfills can be found at www.deq.state.ok.us/tornado/MunicipalitiesDebrisMgt.pdf

In addition to disposing of household hazardous wastes, it’s also important for residents to clean and disinfect everything touched by floodwaters as quickly as possible. That’s because floodwaters and their sediments may contain chemical and biological contaminants from sources as varied as garden chemicals, heating oil and sewage. 

Residents should assume that anything touched by floodwater is contaminated and should be cleaned, disinfected or thrown away. Discard any household goods – such as wall coverings, rugs and furniture – that may be contaminated with mold and other toxins and can’t be disinfected. When in doubt, throw it out.

Businesses that may have been impacted by the storms of May 5 through June 4 and have questions about proper disposal of hazardous waste should contact a local DEQ office.

Oklahomans can find more information by calling their local DEQ office during normal business or checking out the DEQ website at http://www.deq.state.ok.us.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers services to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

 

From:  

Carefully Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste

AUSTIN, Texas – Flood insurance claims can be complicated, and Texas policyholders may have questions as they move forward on the road to recovery.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program call center is staffed with specialists who can assist Texas policyholders with servicing their claims, providing general information regarding their policies, and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery.

To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CDT) Monday through Friday.

Call center staff are available to answer questions, such as “How do I file a flood insurance claim? What type of documentation is needed? Can I still obtain disaster assistance even though I have a flood policy?” Staff can also answer more complicated insurance questions about the extent of coverage and policy ratings. The call center serves disaster survivors who have general questions about the National Flood Insurance Program.

For Texans who prefer to put their concerns in writing, a “Request for Support” form is posted at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program, which can be filled out and emailed to FEMA-NFIP-Support@fema.dhs.gov or faxed to 540-504-2360.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.  Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

Read more:

Help Available for Texans with Flood Insurance Claims and Questions

OKLAHOMA CITY – Nine additional Oklahoma counties have been approved for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance as a result of severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began on May 5.

Homeowners, renters and business owners in Carter, Jefferson, Latimer, Mayes, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Pushmataha, Stephens and Tulsa counties can now apply for state and federal disaster assistance. This brings the number of approved counties in Oklahoma to 33.

Individual Assistance was extended to those counties after a review of on-going damage assessments by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Disaster assistance for qualified applicants may include:

  • Grants for rental assistance or temporary housing;
  • Grants for home repairs not covered by insurance;
  • Grants for serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance—such as medical, dental, funeral, personal property, vehicles and moving and storage; and
  • Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may be available to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, and homeowners and renters for losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Counties previously approved for Individual Assistance as a result of the disaster declaration that covers the period May 5 through June 4 include Atoka, Beckham, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Choctaw, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Johnston, Kiowa, Le Flore, Marshall, McClain, McCurtain, McIntosh, Oklahoma, Pittsburg, Pottawatomie, Rogers, Seminole, Tillman, and Wagoner.

There are three easy ways to apply:

  • Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov;
  • Via smartphone or web-enabled device by using the FEMA app;
  • Or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4222  or visit the OEM site at www.oem.ok.gov.

 

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers services to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

View original:

Nine More Oklahoma Counties Approved for FEMA Disaster Assistance

OKLAHOMA CITY As the waters recede and Oklahomans begin to assess the damage caused by the severe storms and flooding that washed across the state this spring, questions start to arise about how and when those with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies should file claims.

The first step is notification. Homeowners, renters and business owners with NFIP coverage should immediately report flood damage to their insurance company or agent. A claims adjuster will inspect your damages, estimate the repair costs, and send an estimate to the insurance company for review and payment approval.

As part of their claim, policyholders are required to submit a “Proof of Loss” statement which includes an estimate of the damages on both your structure and its contents. Insurance companies usually provide this form and in most cases will help you fill it out. A “Proof of Loss” is not a release of claim, but a statement of loss facts and damages claimed.

Your claims package should be supported by photos of water in the structure and the resulting damage. You should also compile an itemized list of all flood damage and retain swatches of carpets or fabrics that were damaged. Be sure to make copies of the insurance claim, proof of loss and all other supporting documents for your own records.

An important point to keep in mind is that you do not have to accept the initial estimate of the damage prepared by the claims adjuster. All issues should be addressed with the adjuster and the company’s management. However, if you believe the claims adjuster did not address all of your flood damage in their estimate, you can file a supplemental claim for the additional damages. For example, there may have been hidden damage not detected by the claims adjuster during their property inspection. 

Be aware there are strict deadlines for filing flood insurance claims. Regardless of whether you agree with the claims adjuster’s estimate, your proof of loss statement must be submitted to the NFIP or the insurance company within 240 days of the loss. This extension of the 60-day policy wording is specific to the current Oklahoma flood.

If your claim is denied, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established a formal appeals process. You can start this process as soon as the insurance company issues its final determination in the form of a written denial (in whole or in part) of your claim.

The written appeal must be filed within 60 days of the insurance company’s final claim determination. FEMA will acknowledge receipt of your appeal in writing and advise if additional information or documents are required for full consideration of your appeal. Next, FEMA will review your documentation and conduct any additional investigation needed. Finally, the policyholder and their insurance company will be advised of FEMA’s decision regarding the appeal.

Even if you file an appeal with FEMA, that does not relinquish or replace your right to file a lawsuit against the insurance company, nor does it expand or change the one-year statute of limitation to file suit against the insurer for the disallowed portion of your claim.

To avoid conflicting results and duplicated effort, a policyholder who files suit against an insurance company is prohibited from filing an appeal with FEMA under this process. As a result, homeowners are encouraged to file an appeal with FEMA first.

Oklahomans who don’t have NFIP insurance – and who sustained losses or damages in the May 5 through June 4 storms – may be eligible for state and federal assistance. You can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (Voice or 7-1-1/ Relay) or TTY 800-462-7585. For information about U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, applicants should call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

Even if you have a NFIP policy, you may also be entitled to FEMA Individual Assistance payments for housing allowance, contents losses, or moving and storage expenses.

For more information about flood insurance, go to www.FloodSmart.gov. For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers services to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

 

Originally posted here:  

How to Handle the FEMA Flood Insurance Claims Process

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahomans, including those who are not U.S. citizens, may be eligible through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance if affected by the recent tornadoes, severe storms and flooding.

Disaster assistance is available to homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by the May 5 through June 4 storms in Atoka, Beckham, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Choctaw, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Johnston, Kiowa, Le Flore, Marshall, McClain, McCurtain, McIntosh, Oklahoma, Pittsburg, Pottawatomie, Rogers, Seminole, Tillman and Wagoner counties.

The aid is available to citizens, non-citizen nationals, and qualified aliens. Qualified aliens include those with legal permanent residence (shown by Green Cards). Their status will not be jeopardized by requesting disaster assistance.

A parent or guardian who isn’t eligible may register for assistance on behalf of a child under age 18 who is a citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien. No information will be gathered on the adult’s status.

When registering for disaster assistance, FEMA requires applicants to certify whether they are citizens, non-citizen nationals or qualified aliens.

The status of a qualified alien includes:

  • Legal permanent residents (those with Green Cards);
  • Those with refugee or asylum status;
  • Those whose deportation has been withheld;
  • Those on parole into the U.S. for at least one year for humanitarian purposes;
  • Those with conditional entry;
  • Those who are Cuban-Haitian entrants; and
  • Those with petitions for relief based on battery or extreme cruelty by a family member.

FEMA conducts random audits of applications to verify U.S. citizenship and qualified alien documentation issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. However, assistance can be given as long as someone in the household is entitled to it, and no information will be gathered regarding the status of others in the household.

Undocumented immigrants from a household with no one eligible for cash assistance from FEMA may still be eligible for programs run by state, local or volunteer agencies.

Assistance for eligible individuals and small businesses includes funds for temporary housing and necessary home repairs, individual and household grants, disaster unemployment assistance, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration and other programs.

Residents living within the designated counties with damage from the disaster can register by calling the FEMA Helpline line at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is open from 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week. Multilingual assistance is available.

For those who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, use the TTY number at 800-462-7585. Applicants can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to “apply online for federal assistance.”

Multilingual assistance is available at each of the Disaster Recovery Centers. DRCs are one-stop shops where survivors can get information and guidance on the disaster assistance that may be available. To find the recovery center near you visit http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm, or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov

 

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

Read article here: 

State, Federal Disaster Assistance Still Available to All Eligible Oklahomans

AUSTIN, Texas. Texans affected by the May 4 through June 19 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding can call the FEMA Helpline to have their questions answered or check the status of their claims seven days a week, including the July 4 holiday weekend.

Although all State/Federal Disaster Recovery Centers in Texas will be closed Friday through Sunday, July 3-5, applicants can call the Helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Multilingual phone operators are available.

People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 during these same hours.

Individuals also can get status updates online at www.disasterassistance.gov. For more information, visit the Texas Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4223.

The deadline to register is July 28.

The National Flood Insurance Program hotline will operate under normal hours – 8 a.m. to

6 p.m., local time, Friday, July 3. The hotline will close Saturday and Sunday. The phone number is 800-621-3362, press option 2.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.  Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or

organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

Link: 

Disaster Information Available for Texans During July 4 Holiday

AUSTIN, Texas – State and federal dollars are flowing into Texas communities recovering from the May 4 through June 19 storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and floods.

To date, more than $137 million in state and federal grants, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans, and National Flood Insurance Program claims have been approved and/or paid to Texans.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), partners in the state’s recovery, provide the following summary of disaster assistance efforts as of June 30:

        NUMBER            ACTIVITY

  • $75.9 million         NFIP Flood claims paid to Texans since May 4
  • $27.7 million        SBA low-interest disaster loans
  • $34.1 million        Housing, Other Needs Grants
  • 22,158                  Total FEMA Registrations
  • 16,544                  Home inspections completed
  • 8,380                    National Flood Insurance Program claims to date 
  • 1,846                    Visits to Disaster Recovery Centers
  • 800                      Number of federal workers in Texas assisting with disaster recovery
  • 264                      Billboard and outdoor electronic signs displaying FEMA information
  • 58                       Number of counties designated for Public Assistance
  • 31                       Number of counties designated for Individual Assistance
  • 25                      Fixed and mobile disaster recovery and mobile registration intake centers

The deadline to register with FEMA is July 28. To register for assistance, Texans can apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov. or by calling 800-621-3362, (TTY) 800-462-7585 for the speech- and hearing-impaired. Both numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time daily, until further notice. More information is available online at www.fema.gov or at www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.  Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

Visit source:  

More than $137 Million Flows to Texas One Month Following Disaster

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